Lydia Ko posted a career-best 60 in the first round of the Ford Championship in Chandler, Arizona, powered by a new Scotty Cameron T12 prototype putter. The 28-year-old made 11 birdies, including four straight to start her round, falling just short of the LPGA's lone 59. She leads the tournament after an opening 30 on the Cattail course at Whirlwind Golf Club.
Lydia Ko began her round with a birdie on the first hole at Whirlwind Golf Club's Cattail course, drawing attention from playing partner Lottie Woad to the new Scotty Cameron T12 prototype putter in Ko's bag. Ko, who rarely changes putters after extensive testing, noted, “I holed the first one, so it was a good start.” She followed with birdies on the par-4 11th, par-5 12th, and a 40-foot putt on the par-4 13th, which she called “the longest putt I’ve holed in a while.” Never before had Ko birdied her first four holes in a round on the LPGA Tour, where she has 23 victories and three majors. Additional birdies came on holes 16, 17, 1, 2, 5, and 6, putting her at 10 under. Ko sensed a sub-60 score was possible, akin to Annika Sorenstam's historic 59 from 25 years ago. A par on the par-5 seventh halted that pursuit; from seven feet, she said, “Honestly, I think I hit it a touch too soft and it broke a little bit more than I thought.” Birdies on the eighth and ninth secured her 60, with nine fairways hit and 17 greens in regulation. “I felt very calm,” Ko said. “I think when you’re in the zone you’re just focused.” The switch from her Scotty Cameron P5 GSS Tour CS prototype surprised even her equipment representatives. “It’s very unusual for me to change out of my putter,” she admitted, adding of the new club, “Maybe it’s a honeymoon phase, who knows.” Ko, who turns 29 soon, tees off Friday at 12:39 p.m. local time for the second round.
